Laminated locking slider multiple circuit pushbutton switch assembly with improved connectors for plug-in wires

ABSTRACT

A pushbutton actuated multiple slide switch adapted for use with push-in wire connectors, having a housing providing two series of discrete openings and containing a plurality of fixed and cooperating movable integral terminal elements adjacent the openings, each element comprising a retaining portion providing a resilient locking tongue and a cooperating contact portion opposed to the tongue for retaining a conductor wire inserted through the opening.

United States Patent Barney [4 1 Mar. 28, 197 2 [s41 LAMINATED LOCKINGSLIDER 5 1 ences Cited MULTIPLE CIRCUIT PUSHBUTTON UMTED STATES PATENTSSWITCH ASSEMBLY WITH IMPROVED 3,219,766 il/l965 Sayward et al ..200/ 166CT CONNECTORS FOR PLUG-IN WIRES 2,841,673 7/1968 Benander I ..200/l66 CT[72]v Inventor: Charles Azel Barney Stow Mass 3,524,028 8/1970 Barney..200/i66 CT [73] Assignee: Ark-Les Switch Corporation, Watertown,Primary Examiner-J. R. Scott Mass. Attorney-Martin Kirkpatrick [22]Filed: Aug. 17, 1970 57 ABSTRACT pp N04 64,373 A pushbutton actuatedmultiple slide switch adapted for use with push-in wire connectors,having a housing providing two series of discrete openings andcontaining a plurality of fixed [52] [1.5. CI. ..200/5 EB, 200/166 CTand cooperating movable i l terminal elements adjacent Int. the openingseach clement comprising a retaining portion Field of Search 5 5 5 66 CTproviding a resilient locking tongue and a cooperating contact portionopposed to the tongue for retaining a conductor wire inserted throughthe opening.

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMARza me I 8,652,811

SHEET 1 [1F 3 LAMINATED LOCKING SLIDER MULTIPLE CIRCUIT PUSI-IBUTTONSWITCH ASSEMBLY WITH IMPROVED CONNECTORS FOR PLUG-IN WIRES Thisinvention relates to electrical switches of the pushbutton actuatedmultiple slide type and more particularly to the terminal and connectiveelements thereof.

Pushbutton actuated multiple slide switches, generally of the type shownin Andrews US. Pat. No. 2,431,904, have long been known and used. Theiruse has been somewhat limited, however, by reason of the exposedterminals of such switches in that they could not economically be usedin certain types of appliances, especially small appliances forhousehold kitchen use, such as food mixers, in spite of their knownadvantages of pushbutton control for providing a large number ofoperating speeds as is needed in such appliances.

Accordingly, it is a major object of the present invention to provide anovel pushbutton actuated multiple slide switch especially adapted forthe above mentioned uses.

This is accomplished, according to the present invention by providing ahollow insulating housing with wall means having two series of discreteopenings spaced from one another, a multiplicity of slides mountedwithin the housing, a plurality of pushbutton elements for operating theslides, and a plurality of integral terminal elements mounted within thehousing adjacent said openings. The terminal elements include fixedcontact terminal elements and cooperating movable contact terminalelements actuated by the slides. Each terminal element comprises aresilient locking tongue with its free end overlapping an opening forengaging and retaining a conductor wire inserted through the opening,and a contact portion extending inwardly away from said wail means. Withthis arrangement, using an insulated conductor having a bared end, allof the exposed terminal and connecting portions are uniquely concealedand protected within the insulating switch housing.

' For the purpose of more fully explaining further objects and featuresof the invention, reference is now made to the followingdetaileddescription thereof, together with the following drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of the multiple pushbuttonslide switch of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the operative elements of theswitch;

FIG. 3 is a section along line 3-3 of FIG. 1, showing one contact of theswitch in open condition;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3, showing one contact of theswitch in the closed condition; and

FIG. 5 is a detailed plan view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

Referring now to the drawings, the multiple pushbutton slide switch ofthe invention includes a hollow insulating housing 10, divided generallyinto a narrow upper portion 12 and a wider lower portion 14. Upperportion 12 provides a top 16 having a series of discrete top openings18, each adapted to accommodate a pushbutton plunger 20, carrying aslide actuator 44.

Slide wall 22 of lower portion 14 provides a series of side openings 24,and side wall 26 provides a similar series of side openings 28 locatedopposite openings 24, both series of openings being adapted toaccommodate push-in wire connectors. Referring now particularly to FIG.5, interior abutments 100 and 102 within housing cooperate with sidewall 26 to define a pair of opposing slots 104 and 106 extendingparallel to side wall 26 on either side of each opening 28. Similarpairs of opposing slots 107 and 109 are provided adjacent openings 24.An insulating floor-30 is removably secured to housing 10 by clips 32.

The interior of housing 10 further provides upper interior wall means110 (FIG. 3) cooperating with side wall 22 to form an upper horizontalslot 112 above each opening 24; upper interior wall means 14 similarlycooperates with side wall 26 to form an upper horizontal slot 116 aboveeach opening 28. Housing 10 additionally provides contact stop surfaces150.

Within housing 10, referring now to FIG. 2, are a multiplicity ofparallel vertically oriented slides 34, each slide 34 having a pluralityof top cam surfaces 35 and 36, and bottom cam surfaces 37 and 38. Bottombearing surfaces 40 rest on bearing strip 42, carried on floor 30.

Within lower portion 14 of housing 10 are a plurality of sheet metalintegral terminal elements, disposed in pairs, one member of each pairbeing a fixed contact terminal element 50 and the other member being acooperating movable contact terminal element 52, each terminal elementbeing a single piece bent of sheet metal to provide both a wireretaining portion and a contact portion. More specifically, each movableterminal element 52 provides a generally upright wire-retaining portion64, generally parallel to wall 26; a U-shaped cutout in portion 64creates a resilient locking tongue 66 whose free end 68 overlies anopening 28. The side edges 65 of retaining portion 64 are deformed toprovide an interference fit with opposing slots 104 and l06of housing10. The upper end of retaining portion 64 is bent back on itself to forma ridge 67 for engaging upper horizontal slot 116 of housing 10, andcarries an upwardly biassed resilient contact-carrying portion 70extending inwardly away from side wall 26 and beneath the multiplicityof slides 34, carrying on its free end 71 a contact 72. The lowerportion 90 of terminal element 52 extends perpendicularly to side wall26, providing a wire contacting surface 92 opposed to free end 68 oflocking tongue 56, and cooperating with end 68 to clamp conductor 39therebetween. Portion 90 terminates in a vertical stop surface 94,spaced from side wall 26, and providing a wire stop for wire 39.

Cooperating fixed terminal element 50 is of similar construction, havinga generally upright wire retaining portion 54, with a resilient lockingtongue 56 whose free end 58 overlies an opening 24. Side edges 55 ofretaining portion 54 are deformed to provide an interference fit in thepair of opposing slots adjacent opening 24, and the upper end of portion54 is bent to form a positioning ridge 57 for engaging upper horizontalslot 112, and carries a contact-carrying portion 60 extending inwardlyaway from side wall 22, carrying on its free end 61 a contact 62. Alower portion of terminal element 50 extends perpendicularly to sidewall 22, providing wire contacting surface 82 opposed to free end 58 oflocking tongue 56, and cooperating with end 58 to clamp conductor 29therebetween. Portion 80 terminates in a vertical stop surface 84,spaced from side wall 22, and providing a wire stop for wire 29. Thenovel provisions of the one piece, integral sheet metal terminalelements of the invention uniquely provides both inexpensive switchoperating elements and simple assembly into insulating housing 10.

For such assembly, slides 34 are first placed within housing 10. Fixedterminal elements 50 are inserted with the positioning ridge 57 of eachengaging an upper horizontal slot 112, and sides 55 are then fitted intothe opposing slots adjacent opening 24. Movable terminal elements 52 arenext inserted with the positioning ridge 67 of each engaging an upperhorizontal slot 116, and sides 65 are thenfitted into opposing slots 104and 106. Floor 30, with bearing strip 42, is then secured to housing 10by clips.32.

-The assembled switch of the invention, free of external exposedelectrical elements, is used with a plurality of connecting insulatedwires having exposed bared ends 29 with insulation 31 therebeyond byinserting them into each side opening 24 until the end reaches stopsurface 84 of fixedterminal 50; wire 29 is then clamped between lockingtongue 56 and contact surface 82. A similar wire connector 39 isinserted into each oppositely located side opening 28, until it reachesstop surface 94 of movable terminal 52; wire 29 is then clamped betweenlocking tongue 66 and contact surface 92. With this arrangement, thebared wire ends are concealed within the insulating housing, with onlytheir insulated portions 31 extending therebeyond.

For switch operation, referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the contactbetween the particular fixed terminal 50 and movable terminal 52 hereshown as an example is normally open; while pushbutton plunger 20 is notdepressed relative to housing 10, lower cam surface 38 of slide 34engages portion 70 of movable terminal 52, thereby maintaining contact72 in a position spaced from contact 62 of fixed terminal 50. Whenpushbutton plunger 20 is depressed, slide actuator 44 follows upper camsurface 35 to engage upper cam surface 36. This motion of plunger 20 andactuator 44 causes slide 34 to move in the direction indicated by arrow200, which permits portion 70 to move upwardly, carrying contact 72upwardly to engage contact 62. Free end 61 of fixed terminal 50 restsagainst contact stop surface 150 of housing 10, thereby insuring a firmcontact between portions 72 and 62.

When pushbutton plunger 20 is released, actuator 44 is carried upwardand engages upper cam surface 35, allowing slide 34 to return to itsoriginal position, and thereby forcing portion 70 of movable terminal 52to move downwardly, breaking the contact with terminal 50.

What is claimed is:

l. [n a multiple pushbutton slide switch comprising a hollow insulatinghousing with wall means having two series of discrete openings spacedfrom one another a multiplicity of slides mounted within said housing aplurality of pushbutton elements for operating said slides a pluralityof integral terminal elements mounted within said housing adjacent saidopenings including fixed contact terminal elements and cooperatingmovable contact terminal elements actuated by said slides theimprovement of the said contact terminal elements comprising a retainingportion, said retaining portion being out along a generally U-shapedpath, said path defining an integral resilient locking tongue having itsfree end overlying a said opening for engaging and retaining a conductorwire inserted through said opening and a contact portion extendinginwardly away from said wall means.

2. A multiple pushbutton slide switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidretaining portion includes a plate parallel to said wall means andretained in said housing.

3. A multiple pushbutton slide switch comprising a hollow insulatinghousing with top and side walls each having a series of discreteopenings spaced from one another with interior abutment means definingopposing slots at the sides of said side wall openings and parallel tosaid side walls a multiplicity of slides mounted within said housing andhaving a plurality of top and bottom cam surfaces a plurality ofpushbutton elements extending through said openings in said top wall foroperating said slides by engagement with said top cam surfaces of saidslides a plurality of integral sheet metal terminal elements mountedwithin said housing adjacent said side wall openings including fixedcontact terminal elements and cooperating movable contact terminalelements actuated by said slides said terminal elements comprising aretaining portion including a plate parallel to said side walls with itsopposed side edges retained in said opposing slots and having a U"shaped cutout providing a resilient l'ein said lower end of saidretaining portion has its end spaced from said side wall providing aconductor wire stop spaced from said opening. 6. A multiple pushbuttonslide switch as claimed in claim 3 wherein self and said opposing slotsare of a width at least as great as said bent back end,

the sides of said plate being deformed to a thickness providing aninterference fit in said opposing slots.

7. A multiple pushbutton slide switch comprising a hollow insulatinghousing with top and side walls each having a series of discreteopenings spaced from one another with interior abutment means definingopposing slots at the sides of said side wall openings and parallel tosaid side walls,

a multiplicity of slides mounted within said housing and having aplurality of top and bottom cam surfaces,

a plurality of pushbutton elements extending through said openings insaid top wall for operating said slides by engagement with said top camsurfaces of said slides,

a plurality of integral sheet metal terminal elements mounted withinsaid housing adjacent said side wall openings including fixed contactterminal elements and cooperating movable contact terminal elementsactuated by said slides, said terminal elements comprising a contactportion extending inwardly away from said side wall, and

a retaining portion including a plate parallel to said side walls withits opposed side edges retained in said opposing slots,

said opposing slots being of a width at least as great as said bent backend,

the sides of said plate being deformed to a thickness providing aninterference fit in said opposing slots,

said parallel plate having a U" shaped cutout providing a resilientlocking tongue with its free end overlying said opening for engaging andretaining a conductor wire inserted through said opening, and

the lower end of said retaining portion adjacent the bottom of said sidewall slot extending perpendicularly to said side wall providing a wirecontacting surface opposed to the free end of said tongue cooperatingtherewith to clamp a conductor wire therebetween.

said upper end of said retaining portion is bent back upon it-

1. In a multiple pushbutton slide switch comprising a hollow insulatinghousing with wall means having two series of discrete openings spacedfrom one another a multiplicity of slides mounted within said housing aplurality of pushbutton elements for operating said slides a pluralityof integral terminal elements mounted within said housing adjacent saidopenings including fixed contact terminal elements and cooperatingmovable contact terminal elements actuated by said slides theimprovement of the said contact terminal elements comprising a retainingportion, said retaining portion being cut along a generally U-shapedpath, said path defining an integral resilient locking tongue having itsfree end overlying a said opening for engaging and retaining a conductorwire inserted through said opening and a contact portion extendinginwardly away from said wall means.
 2. A multiple pushbutton slideswitch as claimed in claim 1 wherein said retaining portion includes aplate parallel to said wall means and retained in said housing.
 3. Amultiple pushbutton slide switch comprising a hollow insulating housingwith top and side walls each having a series of discrete openings spacedfrom one another with interior abutment means defining opposing slots atthe sides of said side wall openings and parallel to said side walls amultiplicity of slides mounted within said housing and having aplurality of top and bottom cam surfaces a plurality of pushbuttonelements extending through said openings in said top wall for operatingsaid slides by engagement with said top cam surfaces of said slides aplurality of integral sheet metal terminal elements mounted within saidhousing adjacent said side wall openings incluDing fixed contactterminal elements and cooperating movable contact terminal elementsactuated by said slides said terminal elements comprising a retainingportion including a plate parallel to said side walls with its opposedside edges retained in said opposing slots and having a ''''U'''' shapedcutout providing a resilient locking tongue with its free end overlyingsaid opening for engaging and retaining a conductor wire insertedthrough said opening and a contact portion extending inwardly away fromsaid side wall.
 4. A multiple pushbutton slide switch as claimed inclaim 3 wherein the lower end of said retaining portion adjacent thebottom of said side wall slot extends perpendicularly to said side wallproviding a wire contacting surface opposed to the free end of saidtongue cooperating therewith to clamp a conductor wire therebetween. 5.A multiple pushbutton slide switch as claimed in claim 4 wherein saidlower end of said retaining portion has its end spaced from said sidewall providing a conductor wire stop spaced from said opening.
 6. Amultiple pushbutton slide switch as claimed in claim 3 wherein saidupper end of said retaining portion is bent back upon itself and saidopposing slots are of a width at least as great as said bent back end,the sides of said plate being deformed to a thickness providing aninterference fit in said opposing slots.
 7. A multiple pushbutton slideswitch comprising a hollow insulating housing with top and side wallseach having a series of discrete openings spaced from one another withinterior abutment means defining opposing slots at the sides of saidside wall openings and parallel to said side walls, a multiplicity ofslides mounted within said housing and having a plurality of top andbottom cam surfaces, a plurality of pushbutton elements extendingthrough said openings in said top wall for operating said slides byengagement with said top cam surfaces of said slides, a plurality ofintegral sheet metal terminal elements mounted within said housingadjacent said side wall openings including fixed contact terminalelements and cooperating movable contact terminal elements actuated bysaid slides, said terminal elements comprising a contact portionextending inwardly away from said side wall, and a retaining portionincluding a plate parallel to said side walls with its opposed sideedges retained in said opposing slots, said opposing slots being of awidth at least as great as said bent back end, the sides of said platebeing deformed to a thickness providing an interference fit in saidopposing slots, said parallel plate having a ''''U'''' shaped cutoutproviding a resilient locking tongue with its free end overlying saidopening for engaging and retaining a conductor wire inserted throughsaid opening, and the lower end of said retaining portion adjacent thebottom of said side wall slot extending perpendicularly to said sidewall providing a wire contacting surface opposed to the free end of saidtongue cooperating therewith to clamp a conductor wire therebetween.